Senior Constable James Gibson MURDOCH

Senior Constable James Gibson MURDOCH

Cholera

Burrangong

25 December, 1900

Senior Constable Murdoch is recorded as having “died after he drank bad water whilst fighting bushfires”. The constable had been out for the weekend fighting bushfires before returning to Burrangong Police Station where he soon fell ill. Stricken with diarrhoea and vomiting, the constable was treated by the local doctor before being taken to Burrangong Hospital. He died two days later, on Christmas Day, probably from cholera.

Senior Constable James Murdoch died this morning from dysentery and colic, supposed to be due to his exertions at the recent bush fires, and to the drinking of bad water. Deceased had been in the force about 16 years, and was much respected.

The senior constable was born in 1862 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 7 March, 1884. At the time of his death he was stationed at Burrangong.